Here's a question for you framebuilders - is there any difference in ride, steering or anything else, between bikes that have the same trail but that have widely differing head angles (let's say 71 - 76 degrees)?

Maybe in your explanation you could use the two extremes of 71 and 76 degrees but with identical trail.

On an aside note, my last two custom mtb frames have had "unorthodox" 72 degree head angles. Of course I used available forks (so the trail couldn't be modfied by customized rake) and I couldn't be happier with the handling of my bikes. Where some (who have never ridden a 72 degree head angle mtb frame) would say "it gives 'quick' steering, I would say it gives perfect steering.

Mike, if you run a 72 degree head angle and it works for you, then I think that's fine. People forget that the human being is one insanely adaptable piece of equipment, and most people could easily adapt to "changes from the norm". It also depends on your set-up, too. How much sag was you frame designed around? How firm do you run your fork? What's the terrain like where you ride most of the time?

I don't think a 1 degree deviation from the accepted standard of "71/73" is even close to being unorthodox - especially in light of current forks and component preferences.